The Los Angeles Dodgers activated closer Edwin Díaz from the 60-day injured list on July 29, 2026. His return coincided with his first bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium.
Díaz had been sidelined since undergoing surgery in April to remove loose bodies from his right elbow.
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The procedure addressed soreness and reduced fastball velocity that plagued him early in the season.
To make room on the active and 40-man rosters, left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes was designated for assignment.
Barnes had a 4.39 ERA in 55 1/3 Triple-A innings and allowed seven runs in 10 MLB innings over four appearances with the Dodgers this season.
Díaz earned his fifth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on the day of his return.
Manager Dave Roberts said the surgery resolved the root cause of Díaz's early-season inconsistencies, describing the bone fragments as resembling "shark teeth."
"He says he hasn't felt this good in quite some time," Roberts said.
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"Getting him back, starting from the back end, I think we just got a lot better today."
Díaz rehabilitated through seven minor league appearances, pitching 5 2/3 innings with 11 strikeouts and allowing two runs.
His fastball velocity recovered to the 96-98 mph range.
"When I started facing hitters here and I saw my velo, I was surprised," Díaz said. "The adrenaline will be there.
I'm expecting to be a little more aggressive than I was in the Minor Leagues."
Díaz will resume his role as the primary closer immediately. "It means a lot," he said about the manager's confidence.
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"I've been on the sidelines for a long time and couldn't wait to be back."
